Power transmission



June 27, 1950 R. H. DICKE 2,512,717

POWER TRANSMISSION Filfed Sept. 30, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

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POWER TRANSMISSION Filed Sept. 30, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 \x F- \1 Q lllllll/ N Z 'llIlIIIIIIIllll///// Q I 5;; a

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fiofierf fl. filth (2 BY Patented June 27, 1950 POWER TRANSMISSION Robert H. Dicke, Princeton, N. J., assignor of one-half to Allen A. Dicke, Montclair, N. J.

Application September 30, 1948, Serial No. 52,029

14 Claims. (Cl. 74-198) This invention relates to improvements in power transmissions and particularly to transmissions providing infinitely variable drive ratios and comprising a driving friction element and a driven friction element each frictionally engaging a rolling member, such as a ball, compressed between them.

Another object is to provide such devices in which the driving and driven friction surfaces are so related to each other and to the ball between them that the compression forces acting on the ball are directly proportional to the forces acting tangentially on the ball so that the compression forces will never be less than equal, and will never be greatly in excess of the force required to provide the necessary friction to support the forces acting tangentially on the ball.

Another object is to so arrange the driving and driven elements, preferably discs, that the ball will roll to a predetermined distance from the axis of each disc and remain there to provide the desired predetermined drive ratio, which position may be altered at will by adjusting one of the discs axially.

Another object is to provide suitable means for producing such axial adjustment.

Another object is to provide suitable means for such adjustment so arranged that the transmission will adjust itself to provide a constant output torque or a constant input torque.

Another object is to provide suitable means for axial adjustment such that the transmission will adjust itself to provide an output or input torque which varies in a predetermined fashion depending only upon the drive ratio of the transmission.

Another object is to provide a variable speed power transmission with a control lever such that the torque transmitted by one of the two power transmitting shafts is linearly or otherwise proportional to the force applied to the control lever and such that a small motion of the control lever will produce a large change in the transmission ratio.

Another object is to provide means to apply an initial force to the ball to wedge it againstthe discs as well as means to limit the travel of the ball radially relative to the discs.

With the above and other objects in view,

I hereinafter describe a preferred form and several modifications of my invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of the driving and driven discs and the intermediate ball of a transmission illustrating the present invention, certain parts being omitted;

Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the parts of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the parts of Figs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 4, 5, 6a. and 6b illustrate the geometry involved in the devices of the other figures;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation, similar to Fig. 1,

of such a transmission, more construction details be so formed as to automatically vary the transmission ratio in any predetermined manner.

Referring to said drawings, the numerals l and 2 designate friction discs. Disc I will be considered as the driving disc although it is to be understood that the transmission may be so used that disc 2 is the driving disc. The discs are preferably integral with shafts la and 2a., respectively. Said shafts are supported in bearings against radial movement and one of the discs (here disc 2 and shaft 2a) is supported against axial movement. Disc l and shaft la are also supported for limited axial movement by a suitable thrust bearing and adjusting means, not shown.

The axes of disc I and shaft Ia lie in a plane lblb (Fig. 2) and the axes of disc 2 and shaft 2a lie in a plane Zia-2b, the planes lblb and Zb-Jbbeing parallel and, as shown, being vertical. However, the faces of the discs lie in convergent planes which intersect on the line X--X (Figs. 1 and 2). It will also be noted that the axes of discs I and 2 intersect the plane M-M, which bisects the dihedral angle formed by the planes of the faces of the discs, at points is and 22, respectively, which points are not only horizontally displaced from each other, as shownin Fig. 2, but also vertically, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. N2N2 represents a plane parallel to the face of disc 2 and spaced therefrom a distance R the radius of the ball 3 and NINI represents a plane parallel to the face of disc l and spaced therefrom the distance B. These planes intersect on the lines NN (Fig. 2) which is parallel to line X-X. It is obvious that the center of the ball 3 must always lie in the line N-N, while the discs I and 2 are in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1.

As will be discussed in connection with Figs. 4, 5, 6a. and 6b, the ball (if not already there) will roll to that position where it lies in the line lz2e in the plane M-M (Fig. 2). There is only one position for the ball where these two requirements are satisfied, viZ., when its center lies at the point of intersection of lines N-N and l2 22. In the position of the parts shown this is at the point half way between Is and 22 where the drive 3 ratio is 1 to 1. It will be noted, however, that if the disc I is moved to the left (Fig. 1), as to one of its dotted line positions, the plane NINI is also moved leftward and the line NN rises. (It also moves slightly to the left, Fig. 1.) This takes the ball center off the line I222 (Fig. 2) and the ball will, therefore, work to the left (Fig. 2) until it has risen sufilciently to have its center coincide with the new point of intersection of lines NN and Iz--2e (which has moved a distance to the left equal to the movement of line NN to the left (Fig. 1) where it will stay. In this new position the speed ratio (driven to driving disc) will increase. Likewise, when the disc I- is moved to the right (Fig. 1) the ball will work to a new position (to the right in Fig. 2) and establish a lower speed ratio (driven to driving disc). This may be carried to a point where the center of the ball reaches I2, at which time the ball will contact disc I at its exact center and the neutral drive ratio will be attained, viz... the driven disc 2 will stand still, irrespective of the speed of rotation of disc I.

In order that the geometry and kinematics of the invention may be made more clear, reference is made to Figs. 4, 5, 6a and 6b. In saidfigures, I and II designate the planes which coincide respectively with the planes of the faces of the discs I and 2. These planes intersect in the line XX (as in Fig. 1) forming a dihedral angle of the value a. The ball 3, having a radius R, is in tangential contact each of said planes, and may roll in the trough formed by said planes along the lines iii-t1 and tz-tz, respectively, each parallel to line XY. *The angle a is somewhat less than twice the angle of repose as between the ball and the disc surface.

It is clear that distance d=R cot a.

The location of the discs I and 2 is preferably so chosen relative to the lines of tangent contact t1-t1 and tzt2 that the'center of the face of disc I lies at C1, via, below the line t1t1 and the center of the face of disc 2 lies at C2, viz., above the line t2tz.

The ball 3 is assumed to be located anywhere, but in contact with the disc faces along the lines t1t1 and tz-tz, and the discs I and 2 are assumed to be turning in the direction indicated at an angular velocity of 1m and we radians per second, respectively. Then a necessary condition for the ball to remain in contact with the discs is:

TI'LDICOS b1=rzw2 cos b2 (1) The velocity with which the points of contact of the ball with the discs moves along lines t1i1 The resulting rates of changes of n and 12 are respectively:

dt cos b1 and %=-v cos b:

The rates of change of the angles In and 132 in radians are and db V -g $111 In As it is desired to know the conditions under which 11:0, i. e., where the ball 3 does not change its position in space, Equations 1 and 2 are combined (22 being zero), giving the result:

Therefore, the ball is stationary in space only if the angles 211 and 172 are equal or differ by degrees.

With reference to the dynamical aspects of the mechanism, reference is made to Fig. 4. It is assumed that point contact exists between the ball and the disc faces and that the inertia of the ball may be neglected.

F1= -F2 and are directed toward each other through the points of contact of the ball with the discs. The result is that the total force acting on the ball is zero and the torque on the ball is zero.

The forces F1 and F2 acting on the ball have counterparts in forces which the ball exerts on the discs. These forces, having the same magnitude as F1 and F2 have components Fa acting parallel to the axes of the discs I and 2 and components Ft tangential to the ball, causing torques to be applied to the discs.

Fa=F cos a and Ft=F sin V 0,

viz., the ratio of these forces is independent of all parameters except the value of the dihedral angle a.

The torques which the force F produces about the axes of discs I and 2 are:

T1: F sin an cos b:

(3) T2: -F sin /2 an cos b2 Ignoring friction, the power fed by disc I to the ball P1= T1w1 and by the ball to disc 2 P2: +T2w2 Ignoring kinetic energy in the parts:

P1=P2 and T1w1=T2w2 Referring now to the form of construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the parts to which reference numerals were assigned in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are designated by the same reference numerals. Disc I and its shaft la are considered as the driving member and disc 2 and its shaft 2a as the driven member, although it is to be understood that disc 2 may be the driving member and disc I the driven. 20 indicates the-balls of a ball thrust bearing operating in grooves in disc 2 and in grooves in the ball race 2d. This bearing is preferably so. constructed as to act also as a radial bearing. 2e represents a radial bearing mounted on shaft 2a. :Zf'indicates a hub on side plate 2g, the hub and side plate serving to support bearings 2e and thrust bearing race 211. Similarly, Io represents the balls of a ball thrust bearing, which balls operate in grooves on the rear face of disc I and in grooves on an adjustable bearing sleeve in, the interior of which supports the exterior of the radial bearing Ie carried on shaft la.

The exterior of bushing I'h is formed with threads If which interengage with threads I7 formed on the interior of side plate lg. It will be noted that if bushing Ih is rotated, the disc I will be adjusted axially; such rotation of bushing Ih may be effected by means of a'worm wheel 4 having internal teeth 5 engaging in recesses 6 formed on the bushing In. The worm wheel 4 may be rotated as required by worm I mounted in bearings formed on brackets 8 sup ported upon the side plate I g. The worm 4 may be held against axial movement by means of screws 9 having extensions operatingin a groove Ill formed in the hub If attached to side plate Ia.

The purpose of the splined connection 5, 6 is to permit axial movement of the bushing Ih without corresponding axial movement of the worm 4.

The side plates I g and 2g are held in proper relation by means of a tubular spacing member II which is so formed that the discs I and '2 are held at the proper angle to each other.

The side plates lg and 2g and the spacer II are held together by a series of bolts I2.

In order for a device of this type to operate properly it is desirable that the ball 3 be placed into wedging relationship with discs I and 2 by a certain, relatively small, initial force. This is desirable'even when the parts are in the position such as that shown, when its weight is adequate for this purpose. It is essential, however, when the transmission is in a position such that the weight of the ball does not tend to wedge it between the discs. To provide such initial force, a constraining member, such as roller i5, is provided. This may be supported in a U-shaped supporting frame I 6 having limbs I6a which serve to support the bearings for the roller and also act as limit stops for the movement of the ball. Since the ball movement is in an inclined direction, it is desirable to have the roller and its support inclined accordingly.

Thesupport frame it may be mounted for straight line movement by means of arms I6b operating in slotsllie in the spacer II and a spring II is provided to press the roller I5 upon the ball. I

In order to permit viewing of a the interior, a removable plate I8 is preferably provided. In the form shown, this plate is provided with a stud I8a which serves to align the spring II. The other end of the spring may surround a stud I60 on the member I6.

In the position of the parts shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the ball is in the central position, viz., so that its points of engagement are equally distant from the centers of discs I and 2, thus providing a one to onedrive ratio. It will be seen that ,if the worm I is rotated in such a direction as to cause the disc I to be moved toward the left (Fig. 7), the ball Willbe forced upwardly and will therefore travel to the left (Fig. 8), establishing a higher drive ratio (driven to driving shaft) and that if the adjustment is reversed the disc I will move to the right (Fig. '7) and the ball will drop and will run toward the right (Fig. 8), establishing a lower drive ratio (driven to driving shaft). This may be continued until the contact of ball3 with disc I is at the center of said disc, at which time disc 2 and-its shaft 2a will not rotate irrespective of the speed of rotation of disc I.

2!! indicates a lubricating fluid into which at least one of the discs is submerged. This causes the parts to be properly lubricated and reduces the noise of operation. This fluid is preferably of low film strength so that it may be easily displaced from between the ball 3 and the faces ofdiscsl and 2. Since the area ofcontact between ball'3 and the discs is infinitesimally small, even'a small compressive force acting therebetween will generate extremely high pressure which disrupts the lubricating film and increases the co-efiicient of friction between the ball and the friction disc faces.

While the means shown and described'for adlusting the 'disc. I axiall is ofthe irreversible 'type, on occasion, it will be desirable to, make the action reversible. .In such cases, anti-friction means, such as balls, may beintroduced between the threads If and I and the bushing lhzadjusted .rotarily by other means, such as a lever. If this is done,'it is possible to more easily providev for an automatic torque response, as will be described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 9 and 10.

Referring to Fig. 9, the disc 2 is assumed to be mounted against axial movement, whereas the disc I and its shaft la may be adjusted axially. Thismay' be accomplished by the more or less schematic construction shown'in which thedisc I and shaft Ia carry a hub 2| having a groove 22 within which operate pins or shoes 23 supported on lever 24 pivoted at 25. Attached to lever 24 is an arm 26 to the end of which is attached a spring 21 anchored at 28 upon an abutment which is preferably adjustable to var the tension of spring 21. Assuming that spring 21 obeys Hookes law, the extension of spring 21 andtherefore the axial movement of disc I would be proportional to the tangential force acting upon the ball 3 since that force. is proportional to the compressive force acting upon the ball. .Since the ball 3 is at varying distances from the center of the face of disc I, the extension of spring 21 would not be a measure of the torque acting on shaft Ia, since such torque is a function ofthe distance from the point of ball contact on the disc I to its center. In order to achieve the desired torque response (not necessarily a linear response), it may be desirable to provide a second spring, such as 29, attached at one end to arm 26 and at its other end to the abutment .30, preferably adjustably located. In the position shown, spring 29 opposes the action of spring 21 by imposing a clockwise torque on arm 26. As the spring 27 is extended, spring 29 is collapsed and its force decreases. -At the same time, the axis of spring 29 will recede from pivot 25 so that its torque on arm 25 does not decrease as rapidly as the tension in spring 29. This action can be varied by changing the amount of initial tension in springs 2! and 29. Furthermore, by suitable selection of centers, lengths of arms 24 and 26, and the location of abutments 2 8 and 30, any desired torque response may be achieved, including a substantially linear response.

Fig. 10 illustrates a modification of the device shown in Fig. 9, in which the arm 26a has its lower edge formed as a cam surface 26b against which bears a roller 26c carried on arm 26d pivoted at 26c. .Said arm is biased clockwise by means of a spring 3| attached to arm 26d at one end and having its other end attached to an adjustable abutment, not shown. The cam face 2% can be rcadily so shaped as to give any desired torque response, including a linear response.

If disc I-is the driving disc, the adjustment will be such as to maintain the desiredrelationship of input torque. It is, of course, to be understood that if disc I is regarded as the driven member, the output torque will be controlling. v I r .11 w be noted th e cn mctio s wn momma :7 'and described will serve adrm'rably to?accomplish theobjects statedabove. It is to' be understood, however, that "the tconstructions disclose'd above are intended merely as illustrative oi -theinven- 'tion and not as limiting as variousmodifications therein may be made without departing; from .the inventionas defined by.aproper interpretation of the claims which follow.

.I claim:

"1.- In a power'transmission, a driving friction disc and a driven friction l'disc each .supportedby 'bearings in such a-way thatithe. faces of saidt'discs form a dihedral angle, aball free'to rotatebe- -twe'en and in contact withsaid discs-the centers of rotation of said discs being located at different distances from the vertex of said dihedralangle.

: 2. 4 In -a :power" transmission, a-idriving 7 friction disc and 'a drivenfrictiondisceach supported by "hearings in such a way that the faces'ofisaiddiscs formaa dihedral angle, a ball free'tosrotatelbe- 1 tweenand intcontact with said discs, the axes-of said 1 discs 'intersecting the .plane or their i respective faces at different distances fromthevertex. of said dihedral angle.

3. Inia power transmission, a driving'friction disc and a driven friction disc each supported by bearings in such a way that the faces of said discs forme'a 'dihedral -angle, a ball free'to'rotatebetween' and in contact with' saidxdiscs, the centers of rotation'of said 'discs being 'located at different distancesfrom the 'vertex 'of said dihedral angle, one center being further from the vertex than the line'of contact of the ballwithsaid-Idisc and the other center being nearer to 'said'vertex'than the line of contact of the-ballwith'the'second disc.

4. In a'power transrnissi0n,-a driving friction "disc and a driven'friction'disc each supported by bearings in such away that the faces ofsaid-disc's form-a-dihedral angle, aball free to'rotatebetweenand in contact-with said 'discs, the centers of rotation of said discs being located 'at'different distances from the vertex of-said dihedral-angle andmeans' for=adjusting the position of at least one of said discs axially whereby the ball will'roll to definite positions radially of said discs to e'stablish different speed ratios between the discs.

55. In a power transmission, .a :clriving friction disc-and a drivenfriction disc .eachlsupportediby bearings in-sucha' Way that the faces of saiddiscs form :a dihedral angle, aball free to rotate between and incontact" with said discs, the centers of rotation of said discs' being locatediat: different distances from the vertex-of saidvdih'edraI angle and means for adjusting-the position of at least one of said discs axially whereby the ball will roll to definite-positionsra'dially'of said'discs to establishdiiierent 'spee'd ratios betweenthe discs, said adjusting means :comprising a helical means.

6. In a power transmission, a driving friction disc and a driven friction: disc each supported by bearings in such away that the faces of 'saiddiscs form -a dihedral angle, a'ball free to rotate between'and in contact with said disc's,- the centers of rotation of said discs being-located at different distances from the vertex of said'dihedral angle, and means for adjusting the position'of at" least one of said discs axially whereby the ball will roll to definite positions radially of said discs to'establish difierent speed ratios between the discs,' and spring means tending to move said friction discs toward each'other.

"IIIn a'power transmission, a driving'frictio'n disc and a driven friction "disc each supported by hearings in such-a way that thefaces of said-discs form T a dihedral -angle, -a 1 ball free '-'-to rotate betweeniandin contact iwithisaid discsjtheccenters ofirotatio'nlof saidi'discs 'bein'giiccatediat different distances? from: the vertex 10f said dihedral angle, and means; for adjusting theapositioniof at: least onec'flsaid discszaxiallyi whereby the ba11= will :roll to definite positions'radially'of said discs to establish differentspeed ratios between the"v discspand spring :means tending to move said" friction discs 'towardeach othensaid springtmeans being'so arranged that progressively more force is applied by the'sprin'g meanscto the adjustable discas' the discs are separated but at a progressively decreasing* rate: ofincrease.

V -8. in a @power transmission: a :.driving friction disc and r a driveni. friction disc each-supported by bearings in such a way that the faces of said discs form a dihedral'iangle, aball free'to'rotate between said discs and spring biasedmeans engaging said-hall and tendingito press it towar'd the vertex ofsaid' dihedral angle.

239.1 Inaapower ltransmission, a driving friction disc and a drivenifrictiondisc 'each supported by hearings in such away that the facesof said discs .formiza dihedral'fangle, a :ball'free to'rotate between saididiscs and spring'ibiased means engagihg sai'd ballmnd tending to press: it toward the vertex Iof sai'd :dihedral angle, :said biased means being airol ler.

10. In 3, power transmission; a driving friction 'disc and a driven friction 'disceach supported by bearingsin such a way 'that thefaces ef-said discs form a dihedralangle a ball'freehto'rotate between and-in contactwith said discs,iin such a waythatthe points of possible contact offthe ball with thediscs iorm'linesof contact on the 'fa'ce of each disc equidistantfrom the vertex line 'of said dihedral angle, and mean'sfm moving at 1 least one of said discs axially in -su'ch: a way that the lines of possible contact cfth-e ball with thetdiscs are shifted.

ll. -In a power transmission, a driving friction disc and' a driven friction disc each supported-by bearings in' such a way that the faces' of' said discs form a dihedral angle, a can f free to: rotate between and in contact with said discs in sush -a way that the -'points of possible contactof'the ball with the discs ier-m lines of contact on i the faceof each disc equidistant from 'the vertex line of said dihedral angle, and means for moving atleast one of said-discs relative to the other in such a way that thelinesof possible contact of the ball with thediscs are shifted.

12. The combinationaccordingto-claim-S in which the biased means comprises-a roller mourit- 'ed'for rotation with its axis generally parallel to the vertex of saiddihedralangle.

13. 'The combination according to claim 8 in which the biased means comprises'a roller mounted for rotation withits axis-generally parallel to "the vertex 'ofsaididihedralangle, saidroller extending from at'lea-st the centerof onedisc tonear theperipheryo'f said disc.

14. The combination according-toclaim-S in which the biased means comprises a roller mounted.'for rotation with its-axis generally parallel to the vertex of'said dihedral angle, "said roller extending from at least the center of one disc to near the periphery of said disc and being journalled in' a-carrier which is movable in a direction toward and from said vertex, spring means being provided to bias said carrier and roller toward jsai'dvertex.

"ROBERT H. DICKE.

- Rferences on fllowing page) REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number 606,919 UNITED STATES PATENTS 788, 8 6 815,862 Number Name a Date ,834 Bates May 5 9 2,209,254

Ahnger July 23, 1940 10 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Mar. 20, 1926 France Aug. 5, 1935 France Apr. 19, 1937 

